Apparatus for dyeing



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. 0. A. HUNT, r. APPARATUS FOR DYEING.

No. 564,619. Patented July 28, 1896.

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waixs mans co. PuoYo-uma, WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

CHARLES A. HUNT, JR., OF LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA.

APPARATUS FOR DYEING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 564,619, dated July 28, 1896.

Application filed October 2, 1895. Serial No. 564,402. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. HUNT, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Lexington, in the county of Davidson and State of North Carolina, have invented a new and useful Machine for Dyeing Woolen or Cotton Yarns, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machinery employed in connection with dye-works for coloring yarn,cotton, thread, and similar strands in the hank or skein, whether of worsted, yarn, or cotton; and the object of the improvement is to provide a mechanism for automatically and mechanically moving the hanks or skeins in the dye liquor in order to secure a uniform color and shade.

The primary object of the invention is to secure a rotation of the bars provided for supporting the hanks or skeins without requiring the immersion into the dye liquor of the actuating mechanism, thereby rendering it possible to lubricate the journals of the component parts of the train of gearing without fear of the oil getting into the dye liquor and injuring it or the goods being dyed.

A further object of the invention is to employ a minimum amount of dye liquor compared with the size and capacity of the frame provided with the bars upon which are placed the hanks or skeins to be dyed, thereby rendering it possible to employ a vat of such proportions as to easily receive the frame and avoiding the expense of employing a great amount of dye liquor.

A still further purpose of the invention is to provide a simple mechanism for raising and lowering the frame into the vat and utilizing the elevating mechanism as a means for vertically reciprocating the frame in the vat, whereby through a suitable train of gearing the bars which support the skeins or hanks are caused to rotate and move the goods through the dye liquor, so as to attain the desired end.

The improvement consists of provisions for reciprocating the frame in the vat, a train of gearing mounted upon the frame and acting jointly with pawls or equivalent means attached to the vat so as to cause a movement of the train of gearing, whereby the bars supporting the hanks or skeins are rotated and move the hanks or skeins supported thereby.

The improvement further consists of a supporting-wheel for the frame eccentrically mounted and means for imparting a'movement thereto, whereby the said frame is reciprocated vertically in the vat, in combination with the mechanism actuated by the reciprocating movement of the frame to secure a rotary movement of the bars which support the goods to be dyed.

The improvement also further consists in certain details, novel features, and combinations of the parts which hereinafter will be more fully illustrated, described, and specifically claimed.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention, although changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this'invention, and in said drawings- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is an end elevation showing the frame exterior to the vat and in the position which it will occupy when being loaded or relieved of the goods after the latter have have been colored. Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the frame raised. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the frame. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the actuating mechanism for operating the supporting-bars. Fig. 6 is a detail View showing the means for adj ustably connecting the actuating-pawls with the dyevat. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a modification. Fig. 8 is a vertical longitudinalsection thereof. Fig. 9 is a detail View of one of the eccentrically-mounted pulleys.

Referring to the drawings, in which the same reference-numerals denote corresponding parts in all the figures, 1 indicates the vat for containing the dye liquor, and which may be of any of the usual forms and of any desired capacity according to the size of the apparatus. The frame 2 for receiving and supporting the goods to be dyed is of a size to closely and freely fit within the vat, and is directed in its vertical movements therein in any approved manner, and, as shown, vertical guides 3 are attached centrally to the inner sides of the vat ends, and notched plates 4 are made fast to the ends of the frame 2 and have their notches embracing the edge portions of the said guides 3 to attain the required end. To the successful operation of the invention it is essential that the frame be guided in its vertical reciprocating movements and be prevented from any sidewise or endwise movement.

The frame 2 comprises rectangular-shaped end pieces and longitudinal rods or bars 5,connecting the said end pieces at their four corners. The end pieces are formed of upper and lower bars 6 and 7 and side bars 8, the latter comprising two parts which are adjustably connected together by fastening-bolts 9, passing through one of a series of openings 10 in theoverlapping end portions of the said parts. By this means the frame can have its height increased or diminished according to the length of the skeins or hanks to be dyed. A suspension-bar 11 connects the upper bars 6 at a middle point and is supplied with an eye 12 midway of its ends, to which is detachably fitted a trolley or carrier 13, the latter having upper and lower pulleys to embrace the top and bottom edges of a track 14. Parallel plates 15 are secured at their ends upon the upperlongitudinal rods or bars 5, and have vertical extensions 16 at a middle point, which have connection with the lower portion of the eye 12 or witha block made fastto the lower side of the suspension-bar directly beneath the said eye, and the train of gearing for operating the supporting-bars 17 is located between and supported by the plates 15. Companion plates 18, extending in parallelism, are mounted upon the lower longitudinal rods or bars 5 and come directly beneath the corresponding plates 15. The supportingbars 17 are journaled at their ends in the plates lS and the bars 6 and 7, the inner ends of the upper set of supporting-bars 17 being fitted into the hubs or journals of the individual and corresponding gear-wheels of the aforesaid train of gearing. The upper set of supporting-bars 17 is made angular or square in cross-section, so that the corners will engage positively with the hanks or goods and move the latter as the said bars are rotated, whereas the lower set of supporting-bars 17 are round, so as to offer little resistance to the passage of the goods when traveling around the same. These supporting-bars 17 are preferably of wood, although they may be formed of any suitable inexpensive and light material.

The individual gear-wheels 19 of the train of gearing are of like size and of substantial similar-formation and intermesh, and each has laterally-extending hubs or journals 20, which are mounted in suitable openings in the parallel plates 15, and these hubs or journals' are bored, the said bores being angular or otherwise formed to receive the inne or adjacent ends of the upper supporting-bars 17, so as to impart a positive rotary moveso as to set in motion the train of gearing and positively operate the upper set of supporting-bars to move the goods suspended therefrom in the dye liquor. These pawls 22 have pivotal connection at their lower ends with the sides of the vat, and their upper ends are hooked and disposed to engage with the teeth of the ratchet-wheels 21. As previously intimated, the frame 2 receives a Vertical reciprocating movement in thevat, and as the amplitude of this movement is practically fixed, provision is had for varying the movement of the train of gearing during each complete reciprocating movement of the frame by vertically adjusting the pawls 22, and for this purpose the brackets 23 are formed with a vertical series of openings 24 to re- .ceive the pins 25, by means of which the pawls 22 are adjustably connected with the said brackets 23.

The frame 2 may be vertically reciprocated in the vat in any convenient manner and by any suitable mechanism, and, as shown, the track 14, from which it is suspended, is-provided at its ends with slotted uprights 26, between which are cccentrically-mounted pulleys 27, which are supported in the lower bights of endless bands 28. In order to sesecure a positive engagement between the parts 27 and 28, the said pulleys 27 are formed with sprocket-teeth, and the bands 28 are sprocket-chains, the links of which engage in a positive manner with the teeth of the said sprocket-pulleys 27. An elevated shaft 29 is provided near its ends with sprocket-pinions 30, which are located in the upper bights of the sprocket-chains 28, and this shaft is continuously rotated when the apparatus is in operation and imparts a corresponding movement to the eccentrically-mounted sprocketpulleys 27, through the sprocket-chains 28, to eifect a vertical reciprocating of the frame 2. Standards or frames 31 are attached at their lower ends to the vat, and are provided at their upper ends with suitable hearings, in which are journaled the shaft 29 and'a corresponding shaft 32, the latter having a pinion 33 secured thereon, which meshes with a gear-wheel 34, made fast upon the shaft 29. This shaft 32 is driven from any suit-able source of power, either manuallyv or mechanically, and, as shown, it is supplied with a sprocket gearwheel 35, loosely mounted thereon and receiving its motion by means of a sprocket-chain 36 from any approved form of motor. A half-clutch 37 is held upon the shaft 32 against turning by the ordinary feather-and-spline connection, and ismovable to and from the sprocket gear-wheel35 by means of a shipper-lever 38, to be brought into engagement with or-disconnected from a corresponding half-clutch 39 on the adjacent side of the said sprocket gear-wheel 35, so as to release the latter or cause it and the shaft 32 to revolve together. A ratchet-wheel 40 is secured upon one end of the shaft 29, and a detent 41 is arranged to engage with the teeth thereof, so as to hold the shaft from turning backward and maintain the frame 2 in an elevated position when it is required to move the said frame upon the track 14, either from a position over the vat to a position to one side thereof, or vice versa. A pulley 42 is secured upon the shaft 32, and a brake-- band 43 passes therearound and has connection at one end with an operating-lever 44, by means of which the said brake-band is caused to grip the pulley 42 more or less tightly, so as to control the descent of the frame 2 when the latter is lowering into the vat or to one side thereof.

When it is required to elevate the track 14 and the frame 2, the sprocket-pulleys 27 are locked to the uprights 26, which is accomplished by passing locking-pins 45 through registering openings 46 and 47 in the said sprocket-pulleys 27 and the slotted uprights 26, respectively, as shown in Fig. 3. After the sprocket-pulleys 27 are secured against rotation a rotation of the shaft 29 will cause the sprocket-pulleys 27 to shorten one side of the sprocket-chains 28 and elevate the track 14, and the detent 41, engaging with the ratchet-wheel 40, will hold the track in its raised position, so that the frame can be moved upon the track either from a position over the vat to the side thereof or vice versa. After the frame 2 is moved into the required position, whether over the vat or to one side thereof, the lever 44 can be operated to apply the brake, and by disconnecting the detent 41 from the ratchet-wheel the frame will descend by its gravity, the descent being controlled by a proper application of the brake. By removing the locking-pins and throwing the driving mechanism into gear the frame 2 will be reciprocated in the vat, and by reason of the pawls 22 engaging alternately with the ratchetwheels 21 the actuating mechanism for the supporting-bars 17 will be operated and move the hanks or goods through the dye liquor, as will be readily appreciated. The hanks, skeins, or similar goods 48 will be suspended from the upper set of supporting-bars 17 and will be engaged by the lower set of supporting-bars, so as to properly space them apart, the loading of the frame being accomplished exterior to the vat or at any convenient point. The loaded frame, after being placed alongside of the vat, has the eye 12 of its suspension-bar engaged with the trolley or carrier 13, and after the track has been elevated the frame is moved upon the track to a position over the vat and is lowered therein and is vertically reciprocated, substantially in the manner set forth. After the goods or hanks are sufficiently colored ordyed the track is again elevated, so as to remove the frame from the vat, and the said frame is moved upon the track, so that upon lowerhas secured thereon, between the plates 15,

a gear-wheel 50, which meshes with an intermediate or central gear-wheel 19, so as to transmit motion from the shaft 49 to the train of gearing. The ratchet-wheels 51 at the ends of the shaft 49 have ratchet-teeth, which are engaged by the pawls 52, similar in construction to the pawls 22, and mounted in a like manner upon the ends of the vat. The operation is precisely the same as that herein described.

The shipper lever 38 may be suitably mounted and connected with a lever 54, having direct connectionwith the half-clutch 37, and, as shown in Fig. 2, it is located close to the lever 44 and is connected by a rod 55 with the lower end of the lever 54, the latter being pivoted at its upper end to an overhanging arm 56.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is' 1. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of a vat, a frame adapted to reciprocate therein, parallel plates carried by the frame,

a train of gearing borne by the said plates and comprising intermeshin g gear-wheels and coacting ratchet-wheels at the ends of the'train of gearing, supporting-bars for the goods to be dyed having attachment with and operated by the train of gearing, and two pawls ar-' ranged within the vat, and having adjustable connection therewith, to engage with the coacting ratchet-wheels of the said train of gearing to operate the latter by means of the reciprocating movements of the frame, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination of a frame comprising end pieces and longi-' tudinal bars, means for imparting a vertical reciprocating movement to the frame, parallel plates located upon the longitudinal bars train of gearing comprising a ratchet-wheel and individual gear-wheels having laterallyextending journals obtaining bearings in the said parallel plates, and having the said journals formed with angular openings, supporting-bars located upon opposite sides of the train of gearing and having their outer ends journaled in the end pieces of the frame, and having their inner ends made angular and fitted into the angular openings of the individual elements of the train of gearing, and a pawl to engage with the ratchet-wheel and of the frame intermediate of their ends, a' 'r2o actuate the train of gearing and the bars connected therewith, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a dyeing apparatus, the combination with the vat, and a frame adapted to reciprocate therein, of a train of gearin g mounted upon the said frame, a shaft extending lengthwiseof the frame and operatively connected with the train of gearing, ratchet-wheels at the ends of the shaft, and pawls having attachment with the vat and disposed to engage with the said ratchet-wheels, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

l. The combination withavat, a frame, and a rotatable shaft, of an endless band connecting the frame with the rotatable shaft and receiving motion from the latter, and a pulley eccentrically mounted and located in a bight of the endless band to impart a reciprocating motion to the frame during the'rotation or travel of the said band, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a vat, and a frame placed therein to support the goods to be dyed, of a mounting operatively connected with the said frame, a sprocket-pulley eccentrically journaled in the said mounting, a sprocketchain for driving the sprocket-pulley to impart a reciprocating movement to the frame, and a locking-pin to secure the sprocket-pulley to its mounting, whereby when desired the frame can be lifted from the Vat by applying power to the sprocket-chain, substantially in the manner specified.

6. The combination with a vat, and a frame to support the goods to be dyed, of a track having the frame suspended therefrom, pulleys 'eccentrically mounted at the ends of the track, and endless bands for driving the said pulleys to impart a vertical reciprocating movement to the track, substantially as set forth for the purpose described.

'7. The combination with a vat, and a frame adapted to receive the goods to be dyed, of a track arranged above the vat and having the frame suspended therefrom, sprocket-pulleys eccentrically mounted at the ends of the track, an elevated power-driven shaft provided with sprocket-pinions corresponding in position to the sprocket-pulleys, sprocketchains con necting the sprocket-pinions and sprocket- I sprocket-pulleys eccentrically mounted at the ends of the track, an elevated shaft having sprocket-pinions, sprocket-chains connecting the sprocket-pinions and sprocket-pulleys, means for securing the sprocket pulleys against rotation, a ratchet and pawl forholding the said elevated shaft against rotation, and a brake mechanism to control the descent of the track upon releasing the said elevated shaft, substantially as set forth.

9. A dyeing apparatus comprising a vat, a frame disposed to reciprocate vertically within the vat, a train of gearing mounted upon the frame and having a-ratchet-wheel, a pawl attached to the vat and arranged to operate the train of gearing by the reciproeating movements of the frame, supportingbars for the goods to be dyed operated by the said train of gearing, a track having the frame suspended therefrom, sprocket-pulleys eccentrically mounted at the ends of the track, an elevated shaft having sprocket-pinions, sprocket-chains connecting the sprocket-pinions with the sprocket-pulleys, locking-pins for securing the sprocket-pulleys against rotation, a ratchet-and-pawl mechanism for holding the said elevated shaft against rota tion, a second shaft geared with the elevated shaft, a brake mechanism applied to the said second shaft, and means for applying power to and disconnecting it from the aforesaid second shaft, substantially as set forth for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I havehereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A. HUNT, JR.

Witnesses:

H. LACY HUNT, GEO. O. WAYoocK. 

